Casey Hayward | Defensive Back | #26

3/13/2016: Signed a three-year, $15.3 million contract. The deal contains $6.8 million guaranteed, including a $2.5 million signing bonus. 2017: $3.25 million (+$1 million roster bonus), 2018: $3.25 million (+$1 million roster bonus), 2019: Free Agent

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Per PFF's Mike Renner, Peterson led the NFL with 259 snaps chasing enemy No. 1s while Hayward ranked second at 241. Chicago's Tracy Porter (230) and Jaguars rookie Jalen Ramsey (227) rounded out the top four. Hayward emerged as a legit shutdown force in 2016 and is the rare boundary corner capable of chasing top receivers into the slot. If Jason Verrett (ACL) can get healthy, the Chargers should field the NFL's best cornerback tandem in 2017. Jan 29 - 1:12 PM

Brandon Flowers is the incumbent, but he is coming off a career-worst 2015. Hayward has never been a full-time corner, playing 65 percent of his snaps in the slot with the Packers. His three-year, $15.3M deal suggests he’s the favorite to start. Sun, Jul 24, 2016 12:12:00 PM

Chargers agreed to terms with CB Casey Hayward on a three-year, $15.3 million contract with $6.8 million guaranteed.

Easily the top cornerback left on the free agent market, Hayward should get an opportunity to be a full-time player in San Diego after focusing on slot corner in Green Bay. Turning 27 in September, Hayward earned PFF's No. 21 coverage grade among 118 qualified cornerbacks last season and logged a career-high 65 tackles with seven pass breakups. He'll likely play left corner opposite Jason Verrett in base packages, and man the slot in San Diego's "sub" defense. Sun, Mar 13, 2016 03:53:00 PM

This may explain Hayward's seemingly cold market. Although Hayward is one of the top free agent cornerbacks available, he hasn't so much as warranted a Rotoworld blurb since the middle of February. Perhaps GM Ted Thompson will circle back and attempt to retain his sturdy slot corner at a reasonable price. Sun, Mar 13, 2016 01:24:00 PM

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Brandon Flowers is the incumbent, but he is coming off a career-worst 2015. Hayward has never been a full-time corner, playing 65 percent of his snaps in the slot with the Packers. His three-year, $15.3M deal suggests he’s the favorite to start.

Chargers agreed to terms with CB Casey Hayward on a three-year, $15.3 million contract with $6.8 million guaranteed.

Easily the top cornerback left on the free agent market, Hayward should get an opportunity to be a full-time player in San Diego after focusing on slot corner in Green Bay. Turning 27 in September, Hayward earned PFF's No. 21 coverage grade among 118 qualified cornerbacks last season and logged a career-high 65 tackles with seven pass breakups. He'll likely play left corner opposite Jason Verrett in base packages, and man the slot in San Diego's "sub" defense.

This may explain Hayward's seemingly cold market. Although Hayward is one of the top free agent cornerbacks available, he hasn't so much as warranted a Rotoworld blurb since the middle of February. Perhaps GM Ted Thompson will circle back and attempt to retain his sturdy slot corner at a reasonable price.

Hayward, a 2012 second-rounder, was probably the Packers' best cover corner in 2015, but the team has Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins and Sam Shields to build around. Going on 27, Hayward has said he expects to hit the open market. He shouldn't struggle for suitors with the way cornerbacks have gotten paid the past few seasons. Hayward can play both in the slot and outside.

The 2012 second-rounder started 13-of-18 games this past season for the Packers and graded out as the team's No. 1 cover corner at Pro Football Focus. Hayward played mostly in the slot in 2015 and could be looking for a full-time gig as an outside corner. After GM Ted Thompson drafted Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins in the first and second rounds last year, the Packers are in okay shape with those two and Sam Shields should Hayward move on.

"He's my starter," Whitt said. "So I'm fine with him." Hayward has had a quiet summer, while rookies Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, and LaDarius Gunter have all stood out and made plays. After strictly covering the slot the previous two seasons, Hayward will get a chance to play outside in the base defense.

Bob McGinn cites Hayward's poor tackling and lack of big plays as reasons to sit the fourth-year corner. McGinn believes all three rookies -- Quinten Rollins, Damarious Randall and LaDarius Gunter -- have been more impressive in training camp. A second-round pick in 2012, Heyward is entering the final year of his rookie deal.

The Packers are giving CB Casey Hayward the first chance at the starting job opposite CB Sam Shields.

With Tramon Williams and Davon House gone, Hayward is the next man up after starting just two games the previous two seasons as the slot corner. One of the top corners in the league on the inside, Hayward now gets a chance to play outside. First-round CB Damarious Randall is the favorite to handle nickel duties.

ESPN Packers reporter Rob Demovsky expects CB Casey Hayward to play out the final year of his rookie deal.

Hayward is expected to take over a starting role following the loss of Tramon Williams. He's been one of the best slot corners in the league the last three seasons, putting him in line for a lucrative deal. Hayward was a top-15 corner in both coverage and run support in PFF's 2014 ratings.

A nickel back during his first three seasons, Hayward is expected to open the 2015 campaign as one of Green Bay's starting cornerbacks following the loss of Tramon Williams. Hayward saw 435 snaps in 2014, grading out as the league's 12th-best cover corner in Pro Football Focus' rankings. He missed an alarming number of tackles last season (seven) but that's likely to improve with more reps.

He will be all systems go for the regular season. Hayward was arguably the NFL's top rookie corner in 2012, before an injury-ruined sophomore campaign. He'll man the slot between Sam Shields and Tramon Williams this year.

CB Casey Hayward (hamstring) expects to be ready for the beginning of the Packers' offseason program later this month.

Big things were expected of Hayward last season as he came off a spectacular rookie year, but his hamstring wouldn't cooperate. He appeared in just three games due to multiple aggravations and eventually landed on injured reserve in November. Getting Hayward back at 100 percent and adding Julius Peppers should lead to a bump in defensive effectiveness.

After an ROY-caliber rookie year in 2012, Hayward was essentially a non-factor as a sophomore, appearing in just three games with one start. His healthy return should provide a big boost to Green Bay's pass defense at slot corner. Look for Sam Shields and Tramon Williams to continue to man the perimeter.

Hayward suffered a setback in Week 10 and was a long shot to return this season. The Packers will move forward with Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, Davon House and Micah Hyde as their top four corners. DE Jerel Worthy (knee) and S Sean Richardson (neck) have been activated from the PUP list in corresponding moves.

Hairston tweeted the other day that the "doctor said I had blood clots," so we're assuming that's the issue here. Hairston filled in at right tackle in place of an injured Joe Barksdale in Week 2. L.A.'s line is in rough shape.